Austin Fall Home & Garden Show Features TANKED Stars, Now thru 8/25

The holidays are around the corner and there is no better place for home and garden inspiration than the 18th Annual Austin Fall Home and Garden Show. The three-day home and garden extravaganza kicks off today, August 23rd through Sunday August 25th at the Austin Convention Center, 500 East Cesar Chavez, Austin, Texas 78701.

For nearly two decades, the Austin Fall Home & Garden Show has dazzled guests with literally hundreds of exhibitors showcasing new products, hot trends and classic looks for refreshing, remodeling or simple inspiration.

A staggeringly large Home Improvement Zone offers ideas and advice from curb to kitchen with no challenge too great or too small for top, seasoned industry professionals to address one on one. In addition, many vendors will be offering exclusive discounts and pricing for Home and Garden guests. Booths and products range from security systems, fencing, home building, decks, siding, greenhouses, technology and green living among many others.

Also, fascinating and educational seminars by remodeling experts will be presented free of charge throughout each day on the NARI/NKBA stage by the National Association of The Remodeling Industry and National Kitchen and Bath Association. A number of popular home improvement topics (seated presentations) will be offered.

Show Technology is especially excited to present hilarious celebrity guests Wayde King and Brett Raymer, stars of Animal Planet's hit TV showTanked, which follows the antics of two brothers-in-law as they run the largest aquarium manufacturing company in the nation. The popular stars will present interesting and highly-entertaining seminars and demonstrations.

What's more, this year's fall show offers more fun family and children's activities than ever before. Costco presents an interactive Kids Zone offering coloring and other fun activities. There will also be complimentary kid's cooking classes by Chef Lori Hinze of Cook, Learn, Grow. New this year, there will also be a book reading area by USBorne Books, face painting and other activities courtesy of Macaroni Kid, and Kids Digital Slot Car Racing by Races2U. Also, the show will feature the crowd-pleasing 'Birds of Prey' demonstration.

Guests can even walk away with a new furry family member -- because a home wouldn't be complete without a family pet. The Pet Zone will have cats and dogs on-hand for immediate adoption and dog training demonstrations. Finally, guests can do a little pre-holiday shopping for unique gifts, including art, delicious gourmet treats and official GO TEXAN products.

The show will be held Friday, August 23rd from 2 - 7:00 pm, Saturday, August 24th from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm and Sunday, August 25th from11:00 am to 5:00 pm. The show is $9.00 for adults (17+), $6.00 for seniors (65+) all weekend, and free for those 16 and under. In honor of our military personnel, there is complementary admission for all active duty service men and women (valid ID required). There is a $1.00 off general adult admission coupon at www.austinhomeandgardenshow.com. Free tote bags will be available while supplies last.

Wayde King, Star of Animal Planet's Tanked: Wayde King's love of fish began at an early age. Born and raised in Long Island, New York, Wayde has early memories of his mother and biological father, who was a fish dealer, and the multiple tanks they had in the basement of his home. At 14, he was cleaning aquariums in Long Island with his stepfather, Shelly, and over a decade later, he moved to Vegas to work for another company where he built and sold aquariums. The move to Vegas led to the building of a tank for a family that possessed the only thing he loves more than fish: his wife, Heather. Heather's father, Irwin, recognized Wayde's zeal for fish and partnered with Wayde to help him hone his expertise of tanks and fish and grow both into a successful business.

Today, Wayde is living his dream designing and manufacturing some of the largest and most extravagant acrylic tanks in the world. But this isn't just a business, it's a family adventure. By Wayde's side are his wife, his brother-in-law and chief operating officer, Brett, and his father-in-law. Working with family has been very challenging, but Wayde is happy to share the stress and success with the people he loves the most.

Wayde's love of animals doesn't stop at fish. In fact, it's hard for Wayde to name an animal he doesn't love. At home he has a Victorian bull dog named Prada and a Presa Canario named Rolex. At the office, two tabby cats and four large macaws roam freely throughout The Warehouse. When Wayde is not working, he often is found scuba diving in his free time. On Wayde and Heather's honeymoon, they went scuba diving in Hawaii and on their second anniversary they went scuba diving in Mexico. When it comes to fish, Wayde is an expert and a perfectionist. With more than 34 years in the business, his goal is to not only keep the customer happy, but the fish as well. Wayde's passion and persistence have brought the business to new heights, and he hopes one day his daughters will be able to enjoy working in the legacy he's created.

Brett Raymer, Star of Animal Planet's Tanked: Brett Raymer is the COO of Acrylic Tank Manufacturing (ATM), and you couldn't build a tank big enough to hold his larger-than-life ideas and personality. Originally from Brooklyn, New York and ever ready to take on a new venture, Brett jumped at the opportunity to help his family create their tank-building dream in Las Vegas. Wayde and Brett started the company before Wayde and Heather were married and the company is still thriving. Known for his ability to wheel and deal and his somewhat impulsive confidence, Brett has brought Wayde some of his most loyal clients. Though some days Wayde wishes Brett would slow down, Brett believes that if you can dream it, ATM can build it. He said seeing the face of someone enjoying a tank is priceless.

Growing up, Brett went to Abraham Lincoln High School in Brooklyn. He excelled in athletics including tennis, football and swimming. Now, Brett prefers sports from the sidelines, bringing his years of experience and enthusiasm to his daughter's volleyball team, which he coaches. He is a single dad, and when he's not caring for fish and fish tanks, he's spending time with his two children, Kayla and Bryce.